[skydriver]

I have 6 Corgi heavys ( B17's, B-24's and a B-25 ) and they are all great planes. I highly recommend picking them up. Look on ebay under "Choate76". He has some really good prices on them. Set the maximum price you will pay, and if you get outbid, don't worry because he will be listing another one right after one sells. It took me several times, but I got what I wanted at the price I wanted to pay.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Came across the Tricatus pics on the B-17 "Nine o Nine" US33309. Really like the flighline crew and presentation of this bomber. BUT - looking at one of the pics of the starboard / right front...there is a godawful join you can see daylight through. I can't find one local to check out...for those that have seen it or have this model...is the "real-life" join that bad. Everything else on this model (except props - no stencils & rear gunner station - looks too large) is fairly good.

I've been holding off on the Corgi US heavies because the few I looked at in the past looked clumsy (for lack of a better word) and partially executed. But after finding this site and tricatus site I've reviewed the entire line and find a few B-17s and B-24s that are "attractive". Also looking at Ball o Fire Ploesti B-24...

Pic from Tricatus.co.uk (if direct link is a problem let me know and will remove):

Not all Corgi B-17s have a join line that's that bad, some are better, some are worse so unless you can inspect the model in person before buying you sort of "pays your money and takes your chances".

My 909 is not that bad, but just FYI, the noseart is a water-slide decal, not pad=printed, if you care. The crew figures are great.

Unless you want to go 1:48, Corgi's pretty much the only game in town.

[Rooffie]

I just had a look on my 909 and it doesn´t have the gap. If you can find it I´d grap it. Have you also considered Bit o´ Lace? That one looks great as well! I´ve got B/24´s Ball of Fire , Pistol Packin´ Mama and Jerk´s Natural an like them a lot! The nice thing about the latter is that you should be able to find it for a low price.

[theodore]

The actual 'Nine O Nine' B-17G was originally restored to airworthy condition at the Warbird Museum that I used to work at, the Flying Tigers Warbird Museum in Kissimmee, Florida. It flew the circuit, along with the B-24J that was restored here as well, the 'All American' (later, the name was changed to 'The Dragon and his Tail'). These are owned by the Collings foundation out of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but these 2 bombers no longer fly the warbird circuit. They fly a few times each year up in the New England area.

Just a bit of history on this aircraft.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by theodore

The actual 'Nine O Nine' B-17G was originally restored to airworthy condition at the Warbird Museum that I used to work at, the Flying Tigers Warbird Museum in Kissimmee, Florida. It flew the circuit, along with the B-24J that was restored here as well, the 'All American' (later, the name was changed to 'The Dragon and his Tail'). These are owned by the Collings foundation out of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but these 2 bombers no longer fly the warbird circuit. They fly a few times each year up in the New England area.

Just a bit of history on this aircraft.

They may not be on the airshow circuit anymore but the B-24 is now Witchcraft and it is flying a national tour, along with the B-17 909 and the B-25 Tondelayo (wish they'd give that one a repaint)... they are actually due in my area in a few weeks. You can see the tour schedule here.

Tour Schedules - The Collings Foundation

They've also added a two seat, two-stick Mustang to the tour that you can buy rides in -- I think for $2,500 for 30 minutes -- and get some stick time

And pics of the 909 from last year's circuit -- taken in the Sacramento area -- here: Steve's Photo Site

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by PappyB

They may not be on the airshow circuit anymore but the B-24 is now Witchcraft and it is flying a national tour, along with the B-17 909 and the B-25 Tondelayo (wish they'd give that one a repaint)... they are actually due in my area in a few weeks. You can see the tour schedule here.

Tour Schedules - The Collings Foundation

They've also added a two seat, two-stick Mustang to the tour that you can buy rides in -- I think for $2,500 for 30 minutes -- and get some stick time

And pics of the 909 from last year's circuit -- taken in the Sacramento area -- here: Steve's Photo Site

They were just here in east Texas a couple of weeks back at the Tyler Pounds airfield.

[theodore]

Originally Posted by PappyB

They may not be on the airshow circuit anymore but the B-24 is now Witchcraft and it is flying a national tour, along with the B-17 909 and the B-25 Tondelayo (wish they'd give that one a repaint)... they are actually due in my area in a few weeks. You can see the tour schedule here.

Tour Schedules - The Collings Foundation

They've also added a two seat, two-stick Mustang to the tour that you can buy rides in -- I think for $2,500 for 30 minutes -- and get some stick time

And pics of the 909 from last year's circuit -- taken in the Sacramento area -- here: Steve's Photo Site

Wow, I was unaware of this!! I was told by Tom, the owner of the Warbird Museum, a few years ago that the Collings Foundation stated that it was too expensive to maintain and fly these 2 bombers. I suppose the private funds for their upkeep was great enough to allow them to fly again!! How cool!! Thanks for the info, Pappy and CC; I'll make sure to catch them here in Florida!!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by theodore

Wow, I was unaware of this!! I was told by Tom, the owner of the Warbird Museum, a few years ago that the Collings Foundation stated that it was too expensive to maintain and fly these 2 bombers. I suppose the private funds for their upkeep was great enough to allow them to fly again!! How cool!! Thanks for the info, Pappy and CC; I'll make sure to catch them here in Florida!!

They give rides at all thier stops for $450 -- and they only go up if there's enough folks to make it profitable... I think they said it costs $3K/hour to keep 'em flying? Anyhow, it's a tax deduction... so maybe this'll be the year for me to go up! We shall see.

You can also tour the birds on the ground for a $5 fee -- but they are really tough about access to the flight line for photo ops, you have to know someone going up to get the "good seats" so I usually find a good place to camp on the approach to the runway and watch 'em all day.

[1250ships]

I saw these planes 2-3 years ago in Burbank. Paid the $5 to tour and take photos. The last photo was submitted to the LA County Fair photo contest and was accepted for display at the fair. Didn't win though.

[theodore]

Wow, so thats what our B-24J looks like now!! This is much different than the silver paint scheme that the 'All American' used to have!! The 'Nine O Nine' still looks like she did about 15 years ago when she was finished at the Warbird Musuem.